The Houston Rockets threw everything they had at the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of their Western Conference Finals series and despite taking a 16-point lead in the second quarter, they trailed by three at halftime en route to a 110-106 loss. Dwight Howard suffered a knee injury that forced him out of the contest and while he could very well play in Game 2, we recommended staying away from him. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Thursday’s DraftKings NBA Daily Fantasy Leagues.
PG: Stephen Curry, Golden State
Salary: $10,400
The NBA MVP rewarded those that took him in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals with a game-high 34 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and six three-point shots. That elite level of production comes at a high price but considering Curry’s consistency throughout the postseason, we have to have him locked in as one of the players we will build our lineup around for Game 2.
SG: James Harden, Houston
Salary: $9,500
Harden scored a team-high 28 points with 11 rebounds, nine assists, four steals and one three-point shot in Game 1. He might have even better numbers in Game 2 if Howard is out or limited by a knee injury. The only chance the Rockets have in this series will depend on Harden consistently playing at an elite level and we feel comfortable plugging him in here as the second of three players we feel should be locks for Thursday night.
SF: Trevor Ariza, Houston
Salary: $6,500
Houston will need more from the wing regardless of whether or not Howard plays and that will mean Ariza is given every opportunity to showcase what he can do. The veteran forward finished Game 1 with 20 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and four three-point shots and has been beasting for five games straight now. Expect a strong stat line in Game 2.
PF: Draymond Green, Golden State
Salary: $7,700
When the Warriors went small in Game 1, they moved Green to the center spot and he didn’t disappoint as he scored 13 points with 12 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block. There was an obvious adjustment that Green had to make to being moved but he still put up an excellent stat line. Green is the type of player that can stuff the stat sheet across the board and that is why he is the third of the three players we feel should be a lock for Thursday night’s DraftKings Daily Fantasy Leagues.
C: Clint Capela, Houston
Salary: $2,000
Capela managed to play 13 minutes off the bench in Game 1 and while his numbers weren’t outstanding, he still went four-for-four from the field for nine points with four rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block. We aren’t plugging him in for his consistency. This move is based on his extremely low price point at a relatively weak position in this series and the potential for a decent outing if Howard is limited or out.
G: Shaun Livingston, Golden State
Salary: $2,600
It’s an absolute steal to get Livingston at just $600 more than Capela, so it would be foolish to pass on him after he posted the second-highest point total among all Warriors players behind only Curry in Game 1. He came off the bench to score 18 and ignite the Warriors big comeback. Livingston will be the first player off the bench again in Game 2 and after registering 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal in Game 1, he is the best value bargain play on the board for Thursday night.
F: Josh Smith, Houston
Salary: $5,400
Smith had a respectable 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two three-point shots in Game 1 and he will be expected to at least match that stat line in Game 2. He has already shown flashes of his potential throughout this postseason including the final two games against the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round when he averaged 21.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.0 three-point shots, so the potential is there for a monster performances if he gets another opportunity in Game 2 on Thursday night.
FLEX: Corey Brewer, Houston
Salary: $4,400
Brewer was the star for Houston in Game 6 of their second round series against the Los Angeles Clippers and despite a relatively weak stat line of nine points and two rebounds in Game 1, he still played 30 minutes off the bench. The Rockets will need Brewer to be at his best in order to have a chance in Game 2, so look for him to be more aggressive on Thursday night as the player with the highest potential on the board that we can plug in with the remaining salary that we have available.
